"The Importance of Being Earnest"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how well the 2002 film directed by Oliver Parker, "The Importance of Being Earnest" dramatizes the original play written by Oscar Wilde. The paper describes the basic plot of the play and then discusses instances where the plot is not able to be played effectively in the film. It discusses the reasons why these acts are less effective in film than in the dialogue of the play and why certain imagery in the film does not work well.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Synopsis
Act I: Bunbury, Interrogation and Refusal Scenes
Act II: An Interjection Of Ballooning And Flashbacks In The Cicely's Education, Diary Writing, And Fight Scenes With Gwendolyn
Act III: The Introduction of Archery, Unraveling, and Christening
Conclusion--Summing Up

From the Paper:

"The drive to physicalize the verbal wit of the Wilde play is made further evident in the Act II war of words over Gwendolyn and Cicely's tea party, where the jazzy music on the soundtrack and the clattering cutlery draw the viewer's attention away from what the characters are actually saying that is clearly not in the play. (Fifth difference) Finally, the film's dramatization of Act II includes a ballooning sequence that seems completely at odds with the plot, and serves only to show Algernon in different attire than what Algernon wears in the drawing room that is not in the play. (Sixth difference) While it is helpful to show the characters assume different costumes in different locations, just as they assume different personas, the activity is so strange to the eye; it is hard to focus on exactly what is occurring on the level of dialogue during the sequence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Wilde, Oscar. "The Importance of Being Earnest." Full e-text. 21 Mar 2006. <http://www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Wilde/earnest/act1.html>
• "The Importance of Being Earnest." 2002. Directed by Oliver Parker.

More papers on "The Importance of Being Earnest":

• Analytical Essay # 121044 : "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Analytical Essay # 120827 : "Hamlet" and "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Comparison Essay # 101844 : "Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'"
• Book Review # 75458 : "Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"

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